Further insecticidal activities of essential oils from Lippia sidoides and Croton species against Aedes aegypti L.

This study assessed new insecticidal activities of essential oils from Lippia sidoides and Croton species (Croton zehntneri, Croton nepetaefolius, Croton argyrophylloides, and Croton sonderianus) against Aedes aegypti mosquito. In addition, the acute toxicity upon mice was determined. All essential oils showed inhibition of egg hatching, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 66.4 to 143.2 μg?mL^?1, larvicidal activity with LC₅₀ ranging from 25.5 to 94.6 μg?mL^?1, and pupicidal action with PC₅₀ ranging from 276.8 to over 500 μg?mL^?1. Only L. sidoides, C. zehntneri, and C. argyrophylloides essential oils were able to inhibit the oviposition of female gravid mosquitoes with OD₅₀ values of 35.3, 45.3, and 45.8 μg?mL^?1, respectively. Oral acute toxicity in mice showed that C. sonderianus and C. argyrophylloides oils are nontoxic (LD₅₀?>?6,000 mg.kg^?1) while C. nepetaefolius, C. zehntneri, and L. sidoides oils are moderately toxic (LD₅₀ 3,840; 3,464, and 2,624 mg.kg^?1, respectively). The results indicate that these oils are promising sources of bioactive compounds, showing low or no toxicity to mammals.     

Expression of minichromosome maintenance 2, Ki-67, and geminin in oral nevi and melanoma

Evaluation of cell cycle using antibodies against nuclear proteins involved in regulating DNA replication has gained special interest in the effort to predict biologic behavior of benign and malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of minichromosome maintenance 2, Ki-67, and geminin in oral nevi and melanomas. Expression of these cell proliferation markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 49 oral melanocytic lesions, including 38 intramucosal nevi and 11 primary oral melanomas. The labeling index of each proliferation marker was assessed considering the percentage of cells expressing nuclear positivity out of the total number of cells, counting 1000 cells per slide. Minichromosome maintenance 2, Ki-67, and geminin were rarely expressed in intramucosal nevi, in contrast to oral melanomas, which showed high levels of these cell proliferation markers, particularly minichromosome maintenance 2, indicating it is a more sensitive marker in primary oral melanomas than Ki-67 and geminin. These results indicate that these markers may be involved in the pathogenesis of oral melanomas and could be eventually useful as an additional diagnostic tool for differential diagnosis of oral benign and malignant melanocytic lesions.     

Synergistic potential of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium–aluminate–chitosan scaffolds with dental pulp cells

Clinical Oral Investigations - This study aimed to develop a porous chitosan–calcium–aluminate scaffold (CH-AlCa) in combination with a bioactive dosage of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin...     

Ultrafast transient absorption of eumelanin suspensions: the role of inverse Raman scattering

An ultrafast investigation is carried out on synthetic eumelanin suspended either in water or in DMSO-methanol. Upon photoexcitation by visible femtosecond pulses, the transient absorption (TA) dynamics of the suspensions are probed in a broad visible spectral range, showing clear nonlinearities. The latter arise from pump-probe interactions that induce the inverse Raman scattering (IRS) effect. We show how eumelanin TA dynamics are modified in proximity of the solvent Stokes and anti-Stokes scattering peaks, demonstrating that IRS affects the sign of TA but not the relaxation times. We compare the results obtained in both suspensions, unveiling the role of the surrounding environment. Eventually, the intrinsic response of synthetic eumelanin to ultrafast photoexcitation is evaluated.OCIS codes: (160.1435) Biomaterials, (320.7150) Ultrafast spectroscopy, (300.6240) Spectroscopy, coherent transient, (190.5890) Scattering, stimulated     

First and second thermodynamic law analyses applied to spark ignition engines modelling and emissions prediction

A mathematical and numerical model of flow and combustion process for spark ignition engines is developed using the principles of the first and second law of thermodynamic. Availability (exergy) analysis is applied to cylinder of a spark ignition engine during the combustion process using a two-zone combustion model. Special attention is given to identification and quantification of irreversibility of combustion process and energy available basing on the isooctane fuel explosion. To predict emissions generation (greenhouse gases) a skeletal mechanism including 32 species and 61 reactions was developed and tested for different engine operations and exergy destructions.     

Transient neonatal diabetes due to a missense mutation (E227K) in the gene encoding the ATP‐sensitive potassium channel (KCNJ11)

Neonatal diabetes is a monogenic form of diabetes. Herein, we report on a newborn presenting diabetic ketoacidosis at 17 days of life . A KCNJ11 mutation was identified. In such cases, insulin can be replaced by sulfonylurea with a successful metabolic control, as an example of how molecular diagnosis may influence the clinical management of the disorder.     

Diagnosis and management of hepatic artery in-stent restenosis after liver transplantation by optical coherence tomography:A case report

BACKGROUND Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting represent an effective treatment for hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplantation. In the first year after stenting, approximately 22% of patients experience in-stent restenosis, increasing the risk of artery thrombosis and related complications, and 50% experience liver failure. Although angiography is an important tool for diagnosis and the planning of therapeutic interventions, it may raise doubts, especially in small-diameter arteries, and it provides low resolution rates compared with newer intravascular imaging methods, such as optical coherence tomography(OCT).CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old male developed hepatic artery stenosis one year after orthotropic liver transplantation and was successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting. Five months later, the Doppler ultrasound results indicated restenosis. Visceral arteriography confirmed hepatic artery tortuosity but was doubtful for significant in-stent restenosis(ISR) and intrahepatic flow reduction. To confirm ISR, identify the etiology and guide treatment, OCT was performed. OCT showed severe stenosis due to four mechanisms: Focal and partial stent fracture, late stent malapposition, in-stent neointimal hyperplasia, and neoatherosclerosis.CONCLUSION Intravascular diagnostic methods can be useful in evaluating cases in which initial angiography results are not sufficient to provide a proper diagnosis of significant stenosis, especially with regard to ISR. A wide range of diagnoses are provided by OCT, resulting in different treatment options. Interventional radiologists should consider intravascular diagnostic methods as additional tools for evaluating patients when visceral angiography results are unclear.     

Description and molecular characterization of Haemoproteus macrovacuolatus n. sp. (Haemosporida,Haemoproteidae), a morphologically unique blood parasite of black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) from South America

During a surveillance programme on avian influenza in wild birds in the east of Colombia, 42 % of examined wild black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) were infected with undescribed Haemoproteus sp., which macrogametocytes possess one or several huge (2.5 μm in largest diameter) conspicuous roundish vacuoles, a unique character of avian haemoproteids. This parasite is named Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) macrovacuolatus and described here using data on the morphology of its gametocytes, host cells and sequences of the complete mitochondrial genome and cytochrome b fragments. Illustrations of blood stages of the new species and DNA sequence information are provided. The phylogenetic analysis identified a closely related lineage C033, reported in South Asian ducks belonging to Dendrocygna. We also found that all Haemoproteus lineages from Passeriformes conformed a monophyletic group. Whereas we cannot exclude that this pattern could be an artefact of the limited taxonomic sampling in non-passeriform birds, thus this finding is worthy of attention. This study adds to our knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among species of avian haemoproteids and describes a new haemoparasite in a non-passerine host.     

Fatty acid profiles in Leishmania spp. isolates with natural resistance to nitric oxide and trivalent antimony

Fatty acids, especially those from phospholipids (PLFA), are essential membrane components that are present in relatively constant proportions in biological membranes under natural conditions. However, under harmful growth conditions, such as diseases, environmental changes, and chemical exposure, the fatty acid proportions might vary. If such changes could be identified and revealed to be specific for adverse situations, they could be used as biomarkers. Such biomarkers could facilitate the identification of virulence and resistance mechanisms to particular chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, specific biomarkers could lead to better therapeutic decisions that would, in turn, enhance treatment effectiveness. The objective of this study was to compare the fatty acid profiles of trivalent antimony and nitric oxide (NO)-resistant and -sensitive Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania amazonensis isolates. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were obtained from total lipids (MIDI), ester-linked lipids (ELFA), and ester-linked phospholipids (PLFA). FAMEs were analyzed by chromatography and mass spectrometry. Species- or resistance-associated differences in FAME profiles were assessed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling, multiresponse permutation procedures, and indicator species analyses. The isolate groups had different MIDI-FAME profiles. However, neither the ELFA nor PLFA profiles differed between the sensitive and resistant isolates. Levels of the fatty acid 18:1 Δ9c were increased in sensitive isolates (p?<?0,001), whereas the fatty acid 20:4 Δ5,8,11,14 showed the opposite trend (p?<?0.01). We conclude that these two fatty acids are potential biomarkers for NO and antimony resistance in L. chagasi and L. amazonensis and that they could be helpful in therapeutic diagnoses.